About this project

"The purpose of life is the expansion of happiness. It is the goal of every other goal. Ben Henretig has embarked on an ambitious project to document a country and culture that has embraced Happiness as a part of its national policy" - Deepak Chopra

Featuring original music by Imogen Heap & Zoe Keating

WHY WE'RE MAKING THIS FILM:

We're making this film because we're concerned that, in our rush to make progress in the world, we're leaving things behind.

Important things.

THE STORY:

Last year, four adventurers made an unprecedented human-powered, border-to-border crossing of Bhutan - a 42-day, 485-mile journey that would profoundly change all their lives.

The Happiest Place tells the story of this incredible journey, offering a glimpse into a forgotten world that may have hidden within it the key to responsible progress in the 21st century.

The film marries the best parts of an epic adventure film with a timely inquiry into what matters most. 10 inspired trekkers joined the journey for 10 days including Imogen Heap, who will be writing a piece of original music for the film. The grueling physical challenge of crossing Bhutan becomes a metaphor for each of our personal journeys on the road to authentic, sustainable happiness.

ABOUT BHUTAN:

Many know Bhutan as one of the happiest places on earth, as the last Himalayan Buddhist Kingdom and the only country in the world to use Gross National Happiness as its primary yardstick for progress.

A villager and her baby from Sakteng, the Eastern-most village in Bhutan.

In Bhutan's rugged mountains and pristine forests, in the smiles of farmers and archers, in the hillside monasteries and ancient fortresses, we see reflected the grace of generations of wisdom. A fragile beauty that is emblematic of all those natural spaces, traditions and cultures around the world that are slowly disappearing in the wake of progress.

WHY WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT:

*The film has been shot and is sitting on 36TB of hard drives - with your support we can finish the film!*

To date, this project has been self-funded on sweat and credit cards.

A partnership with the Bhutan Olympic Committee gave us special access to dignitaries, athletes, royalty, nuns, musicians, and farmers throughout the journey. Their support afforded us a rare opportunity to film for 2 months - longer than any team has ever filmed in Bhutan.

This film will offer an intimate glimpse of Bhutan few have ever experienced.

Pledge $100 or more

72 backers

// THE HAPPIEST PHOTO JUNKIE // (previous +) Unique matte 8 x 10 photo of your choosing from the film team, expedition team and Imogen, signed by the director. See a sampling of images from the PHOTO GALLERY link at the end of the description.

Pledge $250 or more

Participate in audience feedback and help shape the final cut of the film! (transportation not included).

Estimated delivery:Dec 2012

You selected

Pledge $250 or more

10 backers
Limited (98 left of 108)

// THE HAPPIEST COLLABORATOR // NEW NYC EDITION! (previous +) Private rough cut screening & reception in New York + "special thanks" in the film's closing credits. Participate in audience feedback and help shape the final cut of the film! (transportation not included).

Estimated delivery:Dec 2012

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Pledge $500 or more

21 backers
Limited (87 left of 108)

// THE HAPPIEST BHUTANOPHILE // (previous +) Kickstarter-exclusive Team Photo Book featuring private photographs and stories from the film team, expedition team, and Imogen. Your name will be included in the special thanks section of the book. This book will not be available any other way.

Pledge $1,000 or more

// THE HAPPIEST FESTIVAL GOER // (previous +) A ticket to our festival premiere + private dinner with film team (travel not included)

Estimated delivery:Feb 2013

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Pledge $1,500 or more

1 backer
Limited (4 left of 5)

///// THE HAPPIEST EDITOR ///// NEW! ($500 reward level +) Join Ben for a day in NYC for a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the editing process + private dinner.

Estimated delivery:Oct 2012

You selected

Pledge $2,500 or more

3 backers
Limited (1 left of 4)

/// THE HAPPIEST DIRECTOR /// ($500 reward level +) Ben co-directs / films whatever you want for one day and hands over footage (travel and production costs not included)

Estimated delivery:Feb 2013

You selected

Pledge $3,000 or more

0 backers
Limited (3 left of 3)

/// THE HAPPIEST SCREENER /// ($500 reward level +) A screening + talk on the film at a venue of your choice in North America + dinner with Ben and Terri Schneider, the Expedition Leader (travel not included)

Estimated delivery:Feb 2013

You selected

Pledge $5,000 or more

3 backers
All gone!

// HAPPIEST ASSOC. PRODUCER // ($500 reward level +) Associate Producer credit on the film and IMDb entry not to mention a whole lot of great karma.

Estimated delivery:Feb 2013

You selected

Pledge $10,000

2 backers
All gone!

// HAPPIEST CO-EXEC PRODUCER // ($500 reward level +) Co-Executive Producer credit on the film and IMDb entry not to mention the wave of happiness from the whole team!

Estimated delivery:Feb 2013

Funding period

Sep 12, 2012 - Oct 14, 2012
(31 days)

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